Europe outsourcing migration policies

EDITOR:

Maria João Morais, Madrid

Expectations were high, but the agreement reached last week in Brussels on the migratory issue was, once again, a disappointment. Even though the number has drastically reduced from its 2015 peak, the European Union is more focused than ever on curbing the inflow of migrants, succumbing to the pressure of the new xenophobic Italian government.

Instead of taking the steps necessary to provide safe harbour to those embarking on perilous journeys across the Mediterranean Sea fleeing war, violence and hunger, the EU has decided to step up measures aimed at preventing migrants and refugees from entering the continent by sending more money to countries such as Morocco or Turkey to help reinforce its position of “fortress Europe”.

More worryingly, member states have also agreed on setting up new processing centres in north and west Africa, from which only legitimate refugees could enter the continent. By outsourcing the asylum procedure, Europe is, thus, passing over human rights violations to third countries and neglecting its responsibility to host migrants for humanitarian reasons.

Furthermore, this continuous lack of solutions in the EU not only undermines European values, but also fuels the growth in popularity of xenophobic and racist parties.

As the numbers show, the rise of the far right doesn’t directly result from an increase of immigration, but is mainly related to the continuing feeling of insecurity, stemming from the economic crisis and the lack of effective response by member states. In this way, the success of such parties, which increasingly impose their extremist line in Brussels, is also the result of the EU’s failure to draw up inclusive policies.

Therefore, a shift in attitude in Brussels is needed, which guarantees a return to the EU’s principles of solidarity and cooperation. A new joint-up policy framework must ease the reception of those who risk their lives trying to reach Europe, whist boosting living standards of those within the continent who feel that they have been left behind.